Best chicken feeder and waterer????

[629864]

We have hanging metal feeders and waterers for free feeding (similar to this https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail...mart PLA (IBSF0001)&utm_term=4585100931908688).

But we also have several bowls and plates (heavy ceramic/stone plant pot saucers) as well as a repurposed rabbit hutch feeder that I hung up in the enclosed run. The birds all have their favorites, so they all end up eating at the same time without squabbles. The "rabbit" feeder gets filled in the morning (more so than the bowls and plates) and eventually emptied by the end of the day. The hanging feeders always have food available, but sometimes need a little jiggle to get the food to slide down.

None of these would prevent sparrows, but we haven't had a problem with other birds mooching off of the chicken feed.

If I can find a way to keep weather off of the hanging feeder in the run (wire cover, no solid roof), I'll be moving those out of the coops...no need to feed sleeping birds or encourage rodents.

 

[TropicalBabies]

They all do pretty darn good but the grandpa is the best. Also the most expensive and the loudest. Like a metal rubbish can. My coop is obvious too close to the house lol.

 

[TropicalBabies]

Also, this guy works really fricken well!

Just wish he would quit bringing them inside!

 

[Ais]

Also, this guy works really fricken well!View attachment 2926301Just wish he would quit bringing them inside!View attachment 2926303

Feathers everywhere! That would be so annoying!

 

[Gearhead846]

@TropicalBabies would it be possible to get some more pics of your chickens area
(Looking for some inspiration)

 

[davez]

I would be terrified that the cat would go after my {free range} flock.

 

[TropicalBabies]

Feathers everywhere! That would be so annoying!

He is so funny, cute and loved I get over it quickly ♡♡♡ just glad he got another one of the blinking things.

 

[HomesteadDeb]

I would be terrified that the cat would go after my {free range} flock.

I was worried about that with my one barn cat, but she just sits at the coop door and watches them. One day when some of them were free ranging the cat, a chicken, and the horse all crossed paths and I was sitting nearby on a stump and thought "oh no, here it comes. The cat is gonna pounce, the chicken is going to flap, the horse is going to bolt, and I'm going to get killed in the middle of it!" But nothing happened. they all just looked at each other and walked on by.

 

[HomesteadDeb]

Hi @HomesteadDeb I was just wondering if those fancy silicone feeders keep the sparrows out

Seems to! If it was sat on the ground where they could reach in the port to eat from it they might, but since it is set up too high it doesn't seem to be an issue. I see a little bird now and the picking at treats I've tossed out, but not like the little cloud that flew up from where my turkeys had spilled their feed all over today. After that I made them a new feeder. Not sparrow proof, but less wasteful than an open tub!

 

[TropicalBabies]

@TropicalBabies would it be possible to get some more pics of your chickens area
(Looking for some inspiration)

Oh wow. Be honored. I'm a coop and run watcher myself. Not sure what you want to see. Just let me know if I can elaborate on anything.

I was worried about that with my one barn cat, but she just sits at the coop door and watches them. One day when some of them were free ranging the cat, a chicken, and the horse all crossed paths and I was sitting nearby on a stump and thought "oh no, here it comes. The cat is gonna pounce, the chicken is going to flap, the horse is going to bolt, and I'm going to get killed in the middle of it!" But nothing happened. they all just looked at each other and walked on by.

Bet you wished you had a camera (and life insurance) in that moment.